McConnell continues to oppose $2,000 stimulus checks, compares them to 'socialism for rich people'

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell dug in Thursday in opposition to calls for a swift passage of a measure to increase coronavirus relief checks for Americans to as much as $2,000, repeatedly calling the proposed hike “socialism for rich people.” 

“To do socialism for rich people is a terrible way to get help to families who actually need it," the Kentucky Republican said on the Senate floor, one day after he said such a measure had no path toward swift approval in the COP-controlled chamber.

Earlier this week, the Democrat-controlled House passed a bipartisan measure that would give checks to higher wage-earners, compared to those who received them in the two previous rounds of direct payments, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.

President Trump has called for increasing the payments from $600 to $2,000.

On Wednesday, McConnell again rejected an effort by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to have a vote on a stand-alone bill to approve the bigger payments.

He said he would not hold a vote on a measure that would separate the request for the increase from Trump's demand in the large measure to address issues related to technology and election policy.

"We do not need to let the speaker of the House do socialism for rich people in order to help those who need help," McConnell also said Thursday, arguing direct payments need to be targeted more to those facing the greatest hardship as a result of the pandemic.